Wantist: Give Amazing Gifts

Posts by Brittany

107 Illustrated Recipes: They Draw & Cook Coming Oct. 4 (Pre-Order Now!)

They Draw and Cook: 107 Recipes Illustrated by Artists from Around the World

Two years ago brother and sister, Nate and Salli, were on a family vacation.
“Nate was trying to recreate a favorite dish—fettucine with figs in a balsamic butter sauce—while Salli sat at the counter with her watercolors painting the crate of figs.” They realized how fun it was to illustrate food, and an idea was born.

Nate and Salli wanted to make a book of drawn recipes.

After collecting illustrations from a few artist friends, there weren’t enough recipes for a book so they built a blog. Word got out fast and a year and a half later, They Draw & Cook is the largest collection of illustrated recipes anywhere, from artists all over the world.

As you can see, they were able to make that book after all. They Draw & Cook, the book, comes out two weeks from today, but you can order it now at the special pre-sale price of $12. A wonderful gift for creative cooks of all kinds and just in time for the feasts of fall.

I’ve picked some favorites from the book below. Each illustration links to the original so you can go see it bigger and discover similar recipes.

I’m torn between Mom Mom’s Peach Cake and the Garlic Mashed Potatoes—which to try first?!

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Mom Mom's Perfect Peach Cake by Kristen NoheMonsters Favorite Pumpkin Soup by Maria BogadePersian Lentil Soup by Nazanin KaniMadeleines by Jessica BarnesGarlic Mashed Potatoes by Meg GuerinPimms No. 1 Cup by Rebecca Bradley

Make this Gift: Typographic String Art!

How to Make Typographic String Art : ManMadeDIY

How sweet would it be to make someone a piece of art? It hangs on their wall, when they see it they think of you and when friends come over they get to tell all about how crafty and thoughtful you are.

But what if there’s very little Michelangelo in your blood? Should that stop you? Of course not. In addition to being looking great, this Typographic String Art idea is not at all difficult to do and is quite the impressive gift when you’re finished.

You could make string art house numbers for a house-warming present, string a favorite Princess Bride quote shared between you and your sister, do the baby’s name in string art for hip new parents, or a really big AWESOME for a big girl bedroom makeover.

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How to Make Typographic String Art detail : ManMadeDIY

Do Laundry Hampers Make Great Gifts?

Industrial Hamper & Liner

Industrial Hamper & Liner

I’m not quick to suggest that laundry items are stellar gift ideas. I mean, who wants to reinforce that inevitable chore? But then again, it is inevitable. Perhaps as a gift giver you have the opportunity to help make it more enjoyable.

I’ve been seeing so many great hampers lately that I started to entertain the thought: Can laundry hampers make great gifts?

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Horizon Crunch CanSteele Canvas Laundry CartRuffle Laundry BagIzola Laundry BagsLight & Dark Laundry Bag

Cozy Up to Autumn with Sweet Paul

Sweet Paul Magazine Fall 2011

Sweet Paul Magazine Fall 2011

Well he’s done it. Sweet Paul has officially transitioned me into the autumn spirit. It’s a little sweet, a little spicy, looks beautiful and smells divine.

If you’ve yet to explore an issue of Sweet Paul Magazine, you’re in for a real treat. You’ll find everything from warm apple cider and (even more) avocados, to tips on throwing a camping party, minus the camping. There’s recipes to inspire a harvest bake sale and even a spooky black Halloween.

Enjoy this quick peek, and then I recommend that you get comfortable, light a spicy candle and flip through for a while. You’ll be falling for autumn in no time.

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Sweet Paul Magazine Fall 2011 - Pork with Warm Fall SlawSweel Paul Magazine Fall 2011 - Black HalloweenSweet Paul Magazine Fall 2011 - Harvest

Oh my Guac, You Made my Guacamole Day!

Perfect Guacamole by Food Network Magazine

Perfect Guacamole by Food Network Magazine

I’ve been patiently awaiting and it’s finally here! Happy Guacamole Day! I can’t think of a better mashed up mess of deliciousness to celebrate than this glorious food. A concoction like no other starring the magnificent, the gorgeous, the creamiest of fruits, the Avocado.

Here to help you make someone’s Guacamole Day, I’ve got guac-making tools to speed up the mashing and get to the scooping. You’ll find dishes for chipping and dipping in styles and colors to please them all. I’ll share gifts only a guacamole lover could love and round things out with mouth-watering recipes, including, are you ready? Avocado Pie.

So let’s get guac’ing!

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California Avocado Pie by This Confetti LifeGifts for Serving Chips and Guacamole for Guacamole DayFun Gifts for Guacamole DayTools for Making Guacamole on Guacamole DayGuacamole Recipe by The Girl Who Ate EverythingRosted Tomatillo Guacamole by InspiredRD

Dress up Your Gifts with a Limited Edition Stash of Vintage Embellishments

Chewing the Cud Limitee Box

I’m so excited to share Chewing the Cud’s Limitée boxes with you!

Viola Sutanto, designer of these wonderful fabric wraps as well as the cute iPhone e-card app, Bon Bon Mots, has put together a limited edition collection of 100 kits filled with goodies to create beautiful, special gifts.

Put together in a vintage cigar box, each kit is filled with finds from Viola’s travels and flea market trips.

Vintage Cigar Box

They’re the sort of embellishments and gift wrap accessories that on their own can be hard to find or are often only available in large quantities. Just imagine getting creative with whimsical details like carnival tickets, letterpress hangtags, old library cards and patterned stickers.

This kit is the perfect addition to your personal gift wrap stash and also makes a great gift for sweet friends.

Remember, there’s only 100 of them so if you want one, snag it! If you don’t manage to get your hands on one, a smaller Bon Bon pack is available.

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Vintage Cigar Box

Tattly: Infinitely Better Than What’s in the Cracker Jack Box

Camera Tattoo Set by Tattly

Camera Set by Tattly

While dreaming all day about creating piles of gorgeous Polaroids, Tattly announced their latest set of temporary tattoos. Cameras. Geeky, adorable, glorious cameras. I. Fell. Hard.

You see, Tattly creator swissmiss knows a thing or two about “design-minded kids and kids-at-heart.” (I’ll gladly throw myself in that ring. Care to join?)

Determined never to affix another ugly clipart tattoo on her daughter, Tina collaborated with her twenty dearest design geniuses to create a line of designy temporary tattoos. Turns out, adults are crazy about them too.

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What to Focus on Tattoo by Marc Johnsworkisnotajob. Tattoo by Catharina BrunsColor burst by Jessi ArringtonSpeak Up by Jennifer Ward